Do you get in shape for camping?

[AustinBoston]

If I have to sit there and keep casting out a fly, that takes away my beer lifting energy.

Sit there? Whenever I see people fly fishing, they are standing...sometimes standing in COLD water!

No thanks!

Austin

[acharya108]

Okay I realize we all have our own reasons for camping, but I'm curious how many of you prepare your bodies for camping or more so for the activities that go along with camping such as hiking, biking and kayaking.

If the active camping lifestyle isn't your gig, that's okay to each his or her own, but here's what I found in my personal experiences.

Over the years I have packed on a few unwanted pounds and it has effected every aspect of my life. I noticed on camping trips I tended to stay behind when others were out hiking or enjoying the outdoors. I found that I wasn't getting as much out of my camping experience because it was difficult for me. Well I will be 47 on October 14th and I have decided to take my life back. I have started watching what I eat and walking, riding a bike and doing weight training. I don't expect to have the body of a 21 year old, but I am determined that I will be fit enough to take advantage of all the outdoors has to offer. I don't want to miss that once in a lifetime view because I don't think I can make the hike. I want to own that vista. Does anyone else feel this way or am I the only one.

Happy Healthy Camping

CajunCamper

Happy Healthy Camping

Cajun,
My wife and I joined a local gym in our small town after returning from North Carolina. We hiked up MT Pisgah and felt really spent after hiking the 6.8 miles along an approach trail and the 1,000 feet up to the summit. We decided also to reclaim out physical independence. i will be 62 in Dec and my wife, as she says, will not. We go the gym 3-4 times per week, doing both a cardio routine on the stationary bike and one hour of weight training. In preparation for the mountain hiking I do leg presses with an increasing amount of weight 3 times a week. My wife also use the stairs at work. I stay active at home doing renovations on the house and yard and tree trimming. On our return to MT. Pisgah we made it to the summit in half the time and felt great when nwe returned to the start of the trail, with very little recovery time.
So to answer your question, keep moving. As we age we can lose both bone density, exercise tolerance, stamina and overall cardiac health. Weight bearing exercise can increase bone density and strength. Aerobic/cardio exercise can imp[rove cardiovascular health, cardio-respiratory health making the transfer of oxygen into the cells more efficient. It also improves metabolism and converts excess fat to lean muscle.
BUT, the choice to exercise is a personal choice. It is a known fact that exercise can not only prolong your life, but improve the quality of it. As you can see from some of the responses some do not find any pleasure in exercise, but prefer to spend their time doing other things. That is fine for them. We all must do what pleases us, not what pleases someone else. Do what brings you peace of mind, joy, happiness or whatever else turns you on.
Marc (retired from 40 years in emergency and intensive care medicine)

[GeneF]

Sit there? Whenever I see people fly fishing, they are standing...sometimes standing in COLD water!

No thanks!

Austin

You have to realize that flyfishing is about 10% catching fish and 90% enjoying nature.

If you have never had to move upstream to get out of the way of a moose who wants to swim directly at you or had to stand in the Yellowstone River and let your fly just float down the river because a bison is right behind you drinking, then you haven't really experienced nature.

Also, one of the finest things to watch is an experienced fly fisherman make some casts.  To me, it is a thing of beauty.

I use to flyfish with my neighbor.  Many a time I would sit on the bank and just watch him.  He was a master at it.  He made his last cast when he was 80.

[acharya108]

You have to realize that flyfishing is about 10% catching fish and 90% enjoying nature.

If you have never had to move upstream to get out of the way of a moose who wants to swim directly at you or had to stand in the Yellowstone River and let your fly just float down the river because a bison is right behind you drinking, then you haven't really experienced nature.

Also, one of the finest things to watch is an experienced fly fisherman make some casts.  To me, it is a thing of beauty.

I use to flyfish with my neighbor.  Many a time I would sit on the bank and just watch him.  He was a master at it.  He made his last cast when he was 80.

I agree with you Gene. My wife and I started fly fishing in south Florida in the everglades. The practice of trying to get that perfect cast or a beautiful unwinding loop of a roll cast is pleasure beyond words. In the everglades we didn't have Moose, but there were some d*** big alligators, snakes and mosquitos the sixe of B-17's. If we were really lucky we would see a Bald Eagle or a really big 'gator. The largest that I ever saw was about 12 feet. We now plan to fly fish in N.C. and have been tying our own flies, which is another great way to spend a rainy day.
marc

[Funrover]

For me camping is a way to stay closer to the outdoors!! I stay in shape to enjoy life..camping just makes it better!

[mjsmith1223]

CajunCamper,

Once the snow & ice is mostly gone in the late winter/early spring I start walking to and from work every day for awhile (I realize this is not possible for everyone).  By the time the ice is off the rivers, my legs are in good enough shape for fly fishing.  A little later in the spring when we start camping/hiking/kayaking etc. all that walking and working against the current while fishing has strengthened my legs and back so I can keep up with our 5 year old.

Sidebar about fly fishing - I'm no fly fishing snob.  I still enjoy catching gills under a float with a worm.  However, there is just something about fly fishing that I don't get with other kinds of fishing.  More and more I am grabbing my fly rod as opposed to my spinning rod.  The rythym of the cast is very relaxing, the surroundings are usually beautiful and it's very satisfying to catch a fish on a fly I tied myself.

Mike

[acharya108]

CajunCamper,

Once the snow & ice is mostly gone in the late winter/early spring I start walking to and from work every day for awhile (I realize this is not possible for everyone).  By the time the ice is off the rivers, my legs are in good enough shape for fly fishing.  A little later in the spring when we start camping/hiking/kayaking etc. all that walking and working against the current while fishing has strengthened my legs and back so I can keep up with our 5 year old.

Sidebar about fly fishing - I'm no fly fishing snob.  I still enjoy catching gills under a float with a worm.  However, there is just something about fly fishing that I don't get with other kinds of fishing.  More and more I am grabbing my fly rod as opposed to my spinning rod.  The rythym of the cast is very relaxing, the surroundings are usually beautiful and it's very satisfying to catch a fish on a fly I tied myself.

Mike

The people living in the Mediterranean countries have the longest life spans and best overall health. Their secret is to stay active walking to work, the store, etc., and eating good healthy food. Also important is a healthy mental/emotional state, being happy with what we have and realizing what is really important. Getting out of the house to go camping, fly fishing or hiking puts us in touch with real beauty, real peace.
marc

[GeneF]

CajunCamper,

Sidebar about fly fishing - I'm no fly fishing snob.  I still enjoy catching gills under a float with a worm.  However, there is just something about fly fishing that I don't get with other kinds of fishing.  More and more I am grabbing my fly rod as opposed to my spinning rod.  The rythym of the cast is very relaxing, the surroundings are usually beautiful and it's very satisfying to catch a fish on a fly I tied myself.

Mike

Mike

I think you kind of hit the nail on the head.  My spinning rod was just rusting away before I gave it away.

Neighbor talked me into trying fly fishing.  I bought a $29 rod and reel at K-Mart.  First fish I caught was a nice brown trout.  I can still see that fish come up from the rocks and take the muddler.

There is something about fly fishing that really hooks you.  

[DoubleD]

Like Flyfisherman, I find that my outdoor time is when I get in better shape.  Being more active, paddling the canoe, hiking more, collecting wood, even just getting up after dinner, washing dishes, moving around and putting stuff away, cutting some firewood, etc etc.  I usually return from camping trips a few pounds lighter.
I went on an weight loss kick about 4 years ago and worked out 1-2 hours a day.  I did the treadmill, stationary bike, and lifted weights.  I lost a lot of weight, but most importantly, I found that the most valuable exercise was walking.  I have maintained my healthier eating styles, and I have also found that drinking lots of water helps too.  It curbs my appetite before meals.
Today my job and other commitments don't allow me to work out for 1-2 hours a day, but, I can walk to work (takes an extra 10 minutes each way).  That morning exercise early in the day seems to kick my metabloism up, and I am slowly getting trim again, and hopefully doing so in a more sustainable way.  
Now, if they could just come up with ice cream and chocolate that BURNS calories, I would be all set!

[fallsrider]

I don't get in shape for the outdoors, but I should. I need to drop about 20 lbs. and then hiking would be even more fun.

[wharpoley]

Gym 3 times per week year round... Although i think i am lucky because i get 75 minutes during work time (not including lunch) to hit the gym or run.

[wavery]

I live about 10' from the gym in our apartment building :-()  so I'm in great shape :p .

[CajunCamper]

It's time to get in shape for camping.